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Baseball

Comeback Cardinal

STANFORD, Calif. – Andrew Daschbach's grand slam powered Stanford's nine-run eighth and a comeback, 11-6 win over Arizona State on Saturday at Sunken Diamond.

"Today was really two different games," said Clarke and Elizabeth Nelson Director of Baseball David Esquer. "We had to bide our time and Kris Bubic really had to battle to keep us in it. We had some guys step up in a big way today against a really solid team."

The Cardinal (26-5 overall, 8-3 Pac-12) put up nine runs in the eighth inning after trailing, 4-2. Daschbach's grand slam broke a 4-4 tie, with Stanford tacking on three more runs in the frame.

Alec Wilson finished 2-for-2 with a career-high three RBI – he reached base three times, driving in Stanford's first run with a triple into the alley in the sixth inning. Starter Kris Bubic pitched 7.0 + innings, allowing four runs on eight hits while striking out seven.

The Sun Devils (14-21, 6-8 Pac-12) controlled the first five innings, jumping out to a 3-0 lead courtesy of a solo home run and a two-run double. Wilson's triple brought home Bryce Carter, who had Stanford's first hit of the game, to make the score 3-1. Arizona State tacked on one run in the top of the eighth before Stanford's offensive explosion in the bottom half.

Beau Branton brought home Alec Wilson with an RBI single, and Tim Tawa's ground ball to third was bobbled, allowing Christian Robinson to score the tying run. Daschbach's team-leading ninth home run of the season blew the game open before Matthew Decker's pinch-hit, RBI double and Wilson's two-out, two-run single.

The Sun Devils plated two runs in the top of the ninth, but it was not enough to prevent Stanford from clinching the series and its third straight win.

No. 2 Stanford is back in action Sunday at 1 p.m. PT for the series finale against Arizona State. Live streaming and statistics will be available at GoStanford.com.

Cardinal Notes

  • Maverick Handley threw out the only stolen base attempt of the day – he has thrown out 14-of-20 on the season.
  • Christian Robinson made his second career start, reaching base twice with a pair of walks.
  • The two home runs allowed by Bubic tripled his season total after allowing one in his first seven appearances.
  • Daniel Bakst and Will Matthiessen combined to navigate the eighth inning before Austin Weiermiller pitched the final three outs.

--#GoStanford--